Radio Avon

ROCKHAPPENZ Public Collection

Radio Avon  —  Christchurch's iconic radio station of the day ...

Early Radio Avon Announcers - Lee Hanner, John Duffy, Mike Lynch, Murray Inglis,
Wayne Douglas and Mike Richardson - with the station's first Producer Murray Glue

Radio Avon staff
picture taken circa 1980 ....

Graeme Parsonage
Programme Director

Wayne Douglas
Breakfast

Mike Lynch
Mornings

Mike Richardson
Afternoons

Murray Inglis
Drive

Lee Hanner
Nights

Paul Muggleston
Graveyard Shift

Radio Avon was launched on Saturday August 4th, 1973, making it New Zealand's seventh privately owned commercial radio station (and Christchurch's first).  Initially broadcasting on 1290 AM, Radio Avon's frequency was adjusted, in late 1978, from 1290 AM to 1260 AM.  In February of 1990, Classic Hits Radio Avon began simulcasting its programme on 99.3 FM, in addition to the existing 1260 AM frequency.  The station became known on-air as Classic Hits Radio Avon 99FM and 1260 AM.  Later that year, Classic Hits Radio Avon merged with fellow Christchurch FM station 93 Gold, and was subsequently re-branded as Classic Hits 93FM.  In 1991 Classic Hits 93FM was re-branded as Classic Rock C93FM.  Following C93FM's sale to RadioWorks in 1999, and the subsequent launch of The Rock in Christchurch, C93FM flipped from classic rock to a Hot AC format.  Less than two years later, the station was closed down and replaced with the Solid Gold FM network from Auckland.